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Harry Redknapp believes that one Tottenham player is now coming into his own and has been right up there with the best players in the Premier League this season.

Spurs star continues to be showered with praise

There are no prizes for guessing that Redknapp is referring to Dejan Kulusevski, whose reputation has skyrocketed over the past couple of months.

Ange Postecoglou’s decision to move him to the number eight role has proven to be an inspired decision, with the Swede going from strength to strength each week.

The 24-year-old’s list of admirers seems to be growing with each game, with a number of pundits now starting to wax lyrical about the Tottenham man.

Harry Redknapp’s big claim about Dejan Kulusevski

Redknapp is the latest to join the Kulusevski fan club, remarking that the former Juventus man has taken his game to a new level since his change of position.

The former Spurs boss insisted that the attacker has been Tottenham’s best player and one of the best in the Premier League so far this campaign.

Redknapp named Kulusevski in his Team of the Week and wrote on BetVictor: “I always thought Dejan Kulusevski was a good player, but he’s gone up a level this season, he’s been a revelation in that central position!

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“I think he’s been by far Spurs’ best player this season and he’s dragged them through games with his energy and quality in there. I don’t see many players in the league who are playing better than him right now.”

Kulusevski will keep his feet on the ground

Despite all the praise that has been coming his way, Kulusevski is not the kind of person who would allow it to go to his head.

The Swede has a fantastic work ethic and it is clear that he is driven to become the best player he can be. There is really no limit to the level he can reach, given how complete his skillset is.

Tottenham fans will be delighted with the latest injury update on Wilson Odobert and Djed Spence.

Key players returned against West Ham

While Tottenham’s thumping win over West Ham on Saturday was much needed, Ange Postecoglou will be particularly delighted that the returning duo, Heung-min Son and Richarlison, came away from the game unscathed.

That means that the Australian now has almost a fully fit squad, with only Spence and Odobert being unavailable for the London derby.

Postecoglou confirmed after his side’s 4-1 win that Spence had picked up a strain in training and that it was not a serious issue (Football.London).

Update on Wilson Odobert and Djed Spence

The Standard have now revealed that Odobert has made good progress and is expected to be back in training this week.

The report claims that the winger could be back in contention to feature in the trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday. Odobert was spotted back in Tottenham’s training session today ahead of the Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.

Meanwhile, they say that Spence is currently being assessed at Hotspur Way and while the hope is that the right-back’s injury is minor, the nature of his injury and his expected return date is unclear at the moment.

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Odobert’s return is timely for Spurs

Postecoglou has been down to bare bones in attack over recent weeks, which is why the return of Son and Richarlison came as a huge boost to the North London side.

If Odobert is also back in contention, that will give the Australian a good selection headache for the forward line and some great options to bring on from the bench.

As we enter a busy period of the season, Postecoglou will be delighted to have more firepower at his disposal as he aims to rotate his squad in order to keep key players fresh for the latter part of the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur fans may have forgotten about Alejo Veliz with the young striker out on loan at Espanyol this season, but his move to Spain could bring extra rewards for the club.

Alejo Veliz is playing regularly

First and foremost, the good news for Veliz and indeed Tottenham is that the 21-year-old is finally playing regular football.

In his first year with Spurs, the Argentinian striker had to be very patient when waiting for opportunities with the first-team. Then, when he got his first goal, he picked up a severe injury shortly after.

A loan spell with Sevilla in the second half of last season proved to be rather fruitless for all parties, but he’s making a fresh start of it this year.

Veliz has appeared in all ten of Espanyol’s games this term, and has scored one goal for the La Liga side.

But, first-team experience for one of their promising youngsters is not the only thing Spurs are gaining from this agreement.

Javi Puado scouting mission

One of Veliz’s teammates at Espanyol, Javi Puado, is thought to be a top transfer target for Spurs at the moment, and it seems the club may be keeping tabs on the Spanish winger at the same time as monitoring Veliz’s progress.

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That’s the opinion of La Razon, who claim the “attractive” form Puado has been in has not gone unnoticed by Spurs when they have been scouting Veliz this season.

Tottenham are known to be “closely following” Veliz and it is suspected they could be lining up a move for Puado in the near future, too, as his contract expires next summer.

Convenient but not conclusive

It just makes good sense that Spurs would be watching over Puado at the same time as seeing what Veliz is up to in Spain, but I don’t think we should read too much into this. Yes, we are obviously interested in Puado, but it’s not a given that we will make a move for him just because scouts are watching him.

Following what felt like a long international break for Spurs fans off the back of a catastrophic collapse against Brighton, Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham have made a bright return to domestic football.

James Maddison vs West Ham

Hosting the curtain raiser for last weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures, despite going 1-0 down, Spurs cruised to a 4-1 victory over West Ham courtesy of three goals in quick succession early in the second half.

Undoubtedly, Swede Dejan Kulusevski stole the headlines for Spurs fans, with the forward-come-midfielder’s equaliser being the catalyst for what turned out to be an emphatic turnaround.

However, whilst Kulusevski’s fine form of late has been welcomed by the North London faithful, one man who perhaps did not enjoy Saturday as much as the rest of his teammates is fellow midfielder James Maddison.

Despite a respectable performance that even saw Maddison pick up an assist, Postecoglou still opted to hook the Englishman at halftime in favour of Sarr, which in turn proved to be a stroke of genius.

Sarr’s running power and energy quickly changed the game for Spurs, with the Senegalese even picking up an excellent assist winning the ball deep into his own half before quickly playing captain Heung-Min Son through on goal.

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Alongside Kulusevski and Bissouma, Sarr helped Spurs ease to victory in the second half, providing a solid defence to West Ham’s quick counterattacks that had been successful earlier in the game winning two tackles and four of his six duals (Sofascore).

And with that in mind, with a trip to London rivals Crystal Palace to come for Tottenham next in the league, where exactly does this leave Maddison?

What next for James Maddison at Tottenham?

Thinking back to last season, the signing of Maddison looked to be a statement of intent from the Postecoglou, seemingly beating Newcastle to Leicester’s star man at a cut-rate price of £40m.

Maddison even cited the Australian’s self-belief in his philosophy as a key reason for his move to N17, being eager to be part of the “new look Tottenham” that was promised with Angeball (Tottenham Hotspur).

Without doubt, the Englishman quickly proved his worth to Spurs, ending last season with a respectable four goals and nine assists in the league, however, it was a tale of two halves for the midfielder.

As fans will remember, Maddison’s injury at Stamford Bridge in Spurs’ 4-1 loss to Chelsea saw him sidelined for the following 10 games, and in truth, he never rediscovered the early season form that saw him become a fan-favourite in North London.

Of his 13 goal contributions, eight came in his first 10 games of the season, with Maddison even failing to score in the final 10 games of last season (Transfermarkt).

However, anyone who watches Maddison will know he contributes more than just goals and assists, ranking among the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, progressive passes played and received, and touches in the opposition penalty area, highlighting just how pivotal he has been to Spurs since his arrival (FB Ref).

And again this season, Maddison has started the campaign excellently, with two goals and three assists already in the league despite him yet to complete a full Premier League game.

Looking at Spurs’ midfield, with the aforementioned form of Kulusevski and the need for one of Bissouma or Bentancur as a holding midfielder, Maddison looks to be competing with Sarr for a starting place in the side.

At his best, there’s no doubting Maddison’s ability to change and win games, with him doing so both in a Spurs shirt and at Leicester beforehand, so getting the best out of him will be paramount for Postecoglou and Spurs’ season.

That being said, regardless of his place in Postecoglou’s pecking order, Maddison is bound to get minutes in the team, with Spurs certainly being hopeful of runs in both the FA Cup and Europa League, which could mean a near 60-game season.

Despite Saturday’s setback, Spurs fans will be hopeful that Maddison’s early season form doesn’t peter out like last season, as the Englishman could be a pivotal cog in Postecoglou’s self-proclaimed “second season success”.

Brennan Johnson makes a claim about Tottenham’s Europa League aspirations that Spurs fans will love. But do the Lilywhites have enough to go all the way?

Tottenham looking to continue the perfect start

Spurs have won two in two in the Europa League so far, scoring a total of five goals in their two matches against Qarabag and Ferencvaros while conceding just one.

The Lilywhites will have one foot in the knockout stages of the competition if they can overcome Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday.

Ange Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad for the clash against the Dutch side, with the North London club having a tough trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Brennan Johnson announces ambition

Johnson has had his first taste of European football this season and the winger has certainly enjoyed it, having scored in both of Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures so far.

The former Nottingham Forest man admitted that he and his Spurs teammates are determined to go all the way in the competition this season.

Johnson told Tottenham’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “It’s been really cool playing in the Europa League. It gives you new experiences and also new styles of play.

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“We’ve been able to cope with the two teams that we played against. We’ve shown why we play at such a good level because we’re intense and showed why our style of football is really good at any level.

“It’s been a really good start to Europe and hopefully that can continue because that’s definitely a competition that we’re looking to win and I think we have enough to do that.”

Alkmaar cannot be taken lightly

The clash against Alkmaar will represent the toughest test that Spurs have had so far in the Europa League this season, with the Dutch side playing week-in, week-out in a much stronger competition than either Qarabag or Ferencvaros.

Tim Sherwood makes an admission about Dejan Kulusevski and offers his opinion on Tottenham’s recent recruitment decisions.

Dejan Kulusevski is a player reborn

While Kulusevski’s talent had never been in doubt, he was often a frustrating player to watch over the last couple of years, producing occasional moments of real quality but struggling for consistently.

However, since being moved to the number eight role, the 24-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong, not only adding consistency to his game but also seemingly pushing the bar higher and higher each time he gets out on the pitch.

Tim Sherwood’s admission about Kulusevski

The Swede has come in for plenty of praise over recent weeks and Sherwood is now the latest to join the Kulusevski fan club.

The former Tottenham midfielder has admitted that he would hate to play against Kulusevski, pointing to the Sweden international as one of the best pieces of recruitment Spurs have made over recent years.

Sherwood said about Kulusevski following the Lilywhites’ thumping win over West Ham (via Optus Sport): “He came in as a wide-right player or off the left-hand side, and he’s transformed him into a central-midfield player.

“I always look at midfield players as if I would want to go up against them, I don’t want to go up against this guy. He’s six-foot-two, he’s quick, he’s strong, he travels with the ball, he’s got an eye for a pass and obviously got an eye for a goal.

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“He scored eight goals in the Premier League last year, that’s his second goal, he scores big goals. He scored in the derby today, he scored at Old Trafford. If he can continue that ratio he’s a player, he is one of the very few top signings they’ve made.”

Sherwood makes claim about Ange Postecoglou

Sherwood pointed out that while he has previously been critical of Tottenham’s recruitment, the North London club’s fortunes in the transfer market have changed since Postecoglou arrived through the door.

Speaking about the signings that Spurs have made over recent years, he quipped: “A lot of these players, they’ve looked mediocre in the past and I’ve always criticised the recruitment but now I think because of this manager.

“I think Ange Postecoglou is shining them in the correct light and all of a sudden the recruitment department must be saying, ‘See, we’re doing something right’.”

Brennan Johnson reveals that one member of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff has been working closely with him to improve different facets of his game.

Brennan Johnson unrecognisable from last season

While Johnson had some promising moments last season, on the whole, his first year at Tottenham was nothing to write home about. It was widely felt among Spurs fans that he was yet to justify the big fee that the club had paid for him.

However, the 23-year-old is now coming into his own, proving a major goal threat for Ange Postecoglou’s men so far this campaign, with six goals in his last seven outings for the club.

Johnson credits Spurs coach

The Wales international confessed that he is working hard to improve different facets of the game and expressed his keenness to add different strings to his bow.

Johnson admitted that Ryan Mason has been working closely with him to help him improve his positioning, shooting and decision-making.

The Spurs winger told the club’s matchday programme (via Football.London): “Last season most of my goals were kind of at the back post as we work on a lot of crosses and I’ll always have it nailed in me to get in there because l know there are goals to be had, like the one against [Manchester] United,” explained the former Lincoln City loanee.

“I want to show a bit of everything to be honest and want to keep doing what I’m doing at the moment. Obviously, if I can keep building and adding extra parts to my game then I will do that.

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“I’ve been working with the coaches here and especially with ‘Mase’. He’s been doing a lot of work with me on picking up positions, the different types of finishes, what kind of part of the foot I’m hitting with and also dribbling and then shooting, so a lot of thanks must go to him because he’s been helping me a lot with that.”

One big area of improvement

While Johnson has always been a good ball striker, what was letting him down last season was his lack of composure in front of goal.

The 23-year-old appeared to be snatching at efforts and panicking when he got to the final third but that is not something we have seen from him lately, with the former Forest man looking a lot calmer in front of goal.

Dominic Solanke reveals what Harry Kane helped him with when the pair met during the international break on England duty.

Do Spurs finally have a Harry Kane replacement?

It is perhaps unfair to expect Solanke to fill Kane‘s shoes, given all the things that the England captain achieved at Tottenham.

However, those comparisons are going to be inevitable for any striker who comes to Spurs, and so far, the Lilywhites’ record-signing has certainly shown that he can cope with the pressure.

There is no doubt that the 26-year-old has some similar attributes to the former Tottenham man, showcasing an ability to drop deep and combine well with his fellow forwards.

Dominic Solanke’s conversation with Kane

Solanke was called up to the England squad in the recent international break and won his second cap for the Three Lions.

The Spurs man confessed that he had an opportunity to pick the brain of the Tottenham legend, especially now that he plays his football at N17.

When asked if he spoke to Kane about his experiences at the club, the former Bournemouth man responded (via The Independent): “Yeah, of course, we spoke a lot while we were there together and we have this (Tottenham) in common now so we spoke and he is a great guy. A great lad to learn from.

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“Not really (any advice). We were just speaking about his experiences and stuff like that. Obviously, he has done so much in football and it’s nice to pick his brain.”

Solanke’s praise for Tottenham teammate

Dejan Kulusevski is in the form of his life at the moment, thriving in the number eight role this season. The Swede has very much been Tottenham’s creator-in-chief and Solanke admitted that the Lilywhites need the 24-year-old to keep delivering if they wish to move up the table.

When asked about playing with Kulusevski, the centre-forward said: “He is a great player. This season he has been phenomenal for us and we need players to be on top form, especially in the Premier League because we want to do as well as we can.”

Tim Sherwood speaks about the unfairness of the ‘Spursy’ tag and is excited about the team that Ange Postecoglou is building in North London.

The knives were out after the Brighton loss

Postecoglou understandably looked like a broken man at the Amex Stadium, given the way his players threw away the game in the second half against the Seagulls.

The Lilywhites’ mentality was questioned after that defeat, with the term ‘Spursy’ being predictably thrown around a lot in the press.

The Tottenham boss declared ahead of the West Ham game that his side is determined to shake off that tag and demonstrate that they can be relentless (The Independent).

Tim Sherwood leaps to Ange Postecoglou’s defence

Spurs were certainly relentless on Saturday in the London derby, delivering a dominant and almost arrogant display to blow West Ham away despite conceding early on in the game.

Sherwood suggested that the ‘Spursy’ tag is unfairly used to demean his former side, pointing out that many clubs across the Premier League can and do have bad days at the office.

The pundit said following Tottenham’s 4-1 win over the Hammers (via Optus Sport): “I put myself in Ange’s position now, he cannot wait now, he’s bouncing up to that press conference. Because after last week he had to listen to the criticism and quite rightly so.

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“But you know the accusation that Spurs and his Spurs side, which he would’ve taken to heart, are Spursy. That’s not a Spursy performance. That was West Ham being Spursy today.

“Every team is Spursy. Let me tell you, unless they’re the Man Cities and the Arsenals of this world and the Liverpools, everyone has a Spursy moment.”

Sherwood calls for Postecoglou to be backed

Sherwood is convinced that Postecoglou is the right man to lead Tottenham to the promised land, describing the Australian as a ‘top-drawer manager’.

He called on Spurs fans to get behind him and for the club’s hierarchy to back the 59-year-old in the transfer market.

The former Tottenham interim head coach added about Postecoglou: “For me, this is a top-drawer manager and I think he’s playing his own way and I think we have to get behind him, give him more finances to strengthen and let him take this team as far as he possibly can.”

Dominic Solanke reveals all about the chat he had with his Tottenham teammates following their win over West Ham – and that shocking second half against Brighton.

Tottenham bounce back in perfect fashion

Following the debacle at the Amex Stadium ahead of the international mistake, it was important that Spurs not only beat West Ham but also delivered a statement performance.

That is exactly what we got from Ange Postecoglou’s side, who blew the Hammers away with their attacking firepower, showing that their struggles against the Seagulls were just an aberration.

Dominic Solanke makes admission about Brighton loss

Solanke remarked the Lilywhites had to remain switched on and play with intensity in the London derby after they got ‘complacent’ in the second half against Brighton.

When asked how important it was for Tottenham to bounce back against West Ham, he told The Independent: “It was huge. Before that Brighton game, we were on a good run of form. We started that game well, maybe got a bit complacent so it was important we bounced back and showed we had learned from it.

“Speaking to a couple of the boys after, I think we need to play like this as much as we can because we know we can do it. Like I said, the last game before this we showed we can do it in one half and not in the second half, but we need to do this consistently.”

Solanke pleased with his own performance

Strikers are often judged by goals and it is natural for Tottenham’s record signing to be a little disappointed to not get on the score sheet when the home side put four past their opponents.

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However, the Englishman was heavily involved in a lot of Spurs’ good moves and he expressed his keenness to keep contributing to the side in various ways.

Speaking about his own performance, Solanke said: “I feel like I helped the team (against West Ham) and it is important we all contribute in different ways.

“I didn’t get the goal, which is obviously frustrating for me personally, but it was a great game and if we keep playing like this we’ll be in a good place.”

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